[Game Thread] Across the Mountains

[SayyadinaAtreides]

The fire in the center of your circle crackles fairly loudly as the guard next to you throws another log on. Around the fire has gathered the majority of the royal guard that escaped the brutal massacre in the palace, as well as a few commoners. To an outsider, the visual impact of so many races and hopelessly tangled bloodlines would be overwhelming; but it is part and parcel of the history of this, your world, and the beings milling about the refugee camp are all that is left of the noble kingdom of Esdraelon. Makeshift tents are scattered around the area; your camp is clustered at the base of a gargantuan mountain range. Southwest lie the city and nation you once called home--but they are out of sight, fate unknown.

Across the camp, a tall, slender figure rose and approached the gathering around the fire, the sunlight having long ago departed. The flickering firelight illuminated his face briefly, revealing him to be the Prince, last of a noble bloodline descended from the captains of the great ship. He touched several shoulders lightly, beckoning for them to come with him. Together, you retreated into the shadow of the mountains.

The time has come to find my people a home, he murmured sadly. His youthful face had aged greatly in the two months since the flight from the capital. The strain of supporting themselves in this wilderness, raising children, attempting to maintain some semblance of normality...it is my responsibility to protect them from this. The Prince brooded a moment more, then looked at the faces of the guards around him. I have failed. I do not know what could have overthrown our kingdom so swiftly...a simple civil war would never have the power. But that is beyond my power to investigate now; I must look after what remains of our people.

You remember, do you not, the scouts that left a month ago to cross the mountains? They said the land was fruitful, more than capable of providing a haven for us. Wait one more week, they said, one last chance for us to confirm that it is safe. And then they disappeared... The Prince's gaze drifted to the mountains above them. We opened the portal once per sevenday as they had instructed; when they failed to meet us once, we opened it every day in the expectation that they had merely been delayed. But one day...you would not have been here; as I recall most of you were on hunting duty that day...something came through. It wasn't either of our scouts; whatever it was attacked furiously. The contingent of the guard here managed to injure it and push it back through; we closed the portal just in time.

The Prince fell silent once more. I wish I did not ask this of you, he said slowly, but I myself must watch over our people. Whatever happened with the portal, we must find a way to settle across the mountains. I ask that you aid me in this endeavor...we must hope that a group of you will be successful where the others have failed.

[Humble Athena]

One of the figures summoned to the meeting iss a woman. At first glance she seems human enough, an odd enough occurrence among the many varied races, although there is something exotic about her features compared to true pure-bloods. There is no question that she is beautiful; if anything she is too beautiful, the cream of her skin too perfect, the bow of her lips full and red over perfect white pearl teeth, the curve of her black-clad body in the firelight impossibly alluring, even to those of other species.

Prior to the Prince's summons, she had been lurking at the edge of the encampment, a shadow among shadows, seen by few, eyes constantly alert and searching. Tapped on the shoulder, she followed without question, without word, and at the secret gathering, she kneels down. Her utter and absolute devotion all but pouring off of her as she remains still and serene in the Prince's presence.

Her figure is indistinct down, folded up and wrapped in her dark grey robes. The hand that presses against the earth is bare, with more of the perfect pale skin, elegant fingers and long rounded nails. Her other arm rests across her lap, and the hand that rests against the far thigh is wrapped in a black glove with bears a silver spider and web design. Up close, her long black hear is braided and woven and twisted around itself in an elegant pattern. But for all her supernatural beauty, the succubus Reikyuu of the Shadows is not popular among the guards or the people. Her devotion to the Prince does not extend to anyone else, and most she treats with a haughty superiority, unless they have proven their strength. Then and only then she begrudgingly gives them respect.

When the Prince finishes speaking, she raises her head, gazing upon him with her dark, unreadable eyes, and presses a closed fist to her breast, a wordless pledge to uphold his will.

[nfelddav]

Even among this eclectic crowd, the golden-haired boy with his youthful features looks out of place. Despite his age, Gloriothys' voice rings out with an uncanny majesty We will find a new home for our people. Rest easy, my prince. You are a strong leader, and our people will be strong as long as you are with them.

Another voice sounds from near the child's head: Can the portal be reopened, or were you forced to permanently close it? If open, simple enough to push through. If closed, not so much. Mountain path difficult. Can't fly. Too heavy. Alternatives limited. Can't go back. Forward then. Follow shadows through mountains? Could work. Find threat. Maybe make friends. Maybe eliminate. Rescue survivors. Resurrection? Creature's appearance? Scout reports? Details? Thoughts? By now everyone had grown accustomed to the rapidfire speech of the Petal, who was likely sitting on the boy's shoulder or in his hair, though in the dim light of fire Israndear was impossible to make out.

[BlackWolf XIII]

Looming over the other guards, Grizzaloth spoke with his deep, gruff voice. Give us your orders, my liege. We will see them done. But I am concerned about your safety. If we leave, will there be enough remaining guards to ensure your safety?

[SayyadinaAtreides]

The Prince gave Reikyuu a long look, then nodded, reassured of her willingness and capability. He turned to the boy and smiled briefly, though whether it was directed at Gloriothys or the faerie was impossible to tell. The portal can be reopened; we yet have a few arcanists among us. Be warned, though, that whatever was on the other side might still be there, and without knowing when you are in the cave we will be unable to retrieve you the same way.

The Prince then looked at Grizzaloth, who stood well above the heads of his companions. Half of the guards who came with us will remain, and those from among the rest of the populace have been invaluable in their assistance with the camp. I am sure that if enemies do manage to find us, we will be all right. He glanced away from the four guards into the darkness of the night. And if we are not, Esdraelon will truly be lost...

[DutchSantaFe]

Beneath a heavy layer of adamantine armor Azreolus speaks, Boldy forward then. Fear not your majesty, whatever lurks beyond the mountains we will make the land safe four our people. Heat radiates from his armor, and from the small creases at the joints of his armor a dim light can be seen. Flame streams forth from the front of his helm, forming what appears to be a knotted beard.

[SayyadinaAtreides]

The Prince surveyed those he had chosen once more, gazing at each of them briefly, and nodded once. The decisions had been made--it was time for them to be executed, and if there was any greater being watching over Esdraelon, his people would soon be safe.

You will leave tomorrow morning; this evening I will confer with the steward who escaped and see which of the best gear yet remains. I would apologize for the necessity of a communal armory, in which the weapons and armor have been distributed to those on watch without regard to "ownership," but all of you are well aware of the dire straits we have faced.

The Prince paused for a moment. You are free now to rest for the evening--if any of you were on watch, another will take your position--but the method of proceeding should be decided tonight, I think. We still have mages capable of opening the portal, if you desire to use it, but whatever menace was there may still remain. The route over the mountains will be much more strenuous, but may prove somewhat safer.

I wish I had more advice to offer you about these surroundings, to aid in your decision, but this place is a mystery even unto me. You will survive by your own wisdom and the strength of the bonds between you; beware of strife and short-sighted prejudice amidst your ranks, if such there are. He paused for a moment, then half-shrugged, for a moment seeming as young as he had been before the cares of war and the weight of responsibility had fallen on his shoulders. Sleep well, my friends: for friends indeed are those who would take such risks in the name of Esdraelon. We will meet again come morning.

[BlackWolf XIII]

Folding his arms, Grizzaloth's thoughts centered around the safety of the prince. The protection of the royal family was his concern, but he was not one to question orders.

After a moment he addressed the group. So what will it be? The portal or the mountains? The portal is easier and quicker. I'm not so concerned about what we'll find over there as I am about what could slip over to this side.

[nfelddav]

Speed of portal perhaps still desirable. Scouts left a month ago, arrived two weeks. Lucky to make 20 miles a day over mountains. 140 miles. 3 hours through shadows, 5 by air. No guarantee to avoid creature. Grizzaloth slow probably. Maybe full day by air. Shadows seem best. Power expenditure obnoxious. Acceptable. Though perhaps better to deal with creature now. If impossible, must to seek alternatives immediately. Thoughts?

The golden-haired boy of no more than thirteen years merely smiles confidently.

[DutchSantaFe]

Hmmph. No beast is a match for our strength. The portal will take us directly to our destination.

[BlackWolf XIII]

Grizzaloth snorts at the remark that he might be slow. But he says nothing and a slight grin crosses his face. Banter amongst the guards is amusing to him. And like the others, he also has some ego regarding their elite status. But Grizz is not much for talking of such things; his actions, particularly in a show of force, speak for themselves.

[nfelddav]

Grizzaloth's snort provokes a knowing smile on the boys lips, but it is again the fey who speaks: It seems then that we intend to make the journey through the portal. Is there more you can tell us about this creature? How did it attack? Speech?

[Humble Athena]

Reikyuu looks at the others with a slight echo of disdain, and shakes her head. "The mountains. If we go through the portal, we may arrive in the midst of our foes with no chance to take stock. Better to approach from the side, have time to plan, and clear the entire way."

The young woman stands, arms resting loosely at her sides.

[nfelddav]

Safer, yes. But slower. Worth the trade of 3 hours or more for this advantage? Plus spellpower. Perhaps.

[nfelddav]

Alternative: If we do not intend to make the journey 'till morning, Gloriothys and I can go on a scouting run, see what is to be seen at the exit location. Back in five hours, conservative estimate.